With the 2026 MLB season creeping up on the halfway mark, at least one thing is clear: What we thought we knew about last offseason no longer applies. So, there's no time like the present for fresh grades for what all 30 teams did during the hot stove season. This mostly involves looking at trades and free-agent signings that teams actually made, but moves that weren't made obviously can't be ignored. Sometimes, the moves teams don't make can be their best decisions…or their worst. We'll do division by division, starting in the American League East and ending in the National League West. Personally, I think this exercise is fascinating, as it allows us to reflect on the strategic decisions made by each team and how they've played out so far. It's a chance to see which teams got it right and which ones might be rethinking their approach. Now, let's dive in and take a closer look at each team's offseason moves and their impact on the season so far. American League East: The Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays are all in the mix in the American League East. The Orioles are struggling with new pitchers, while the Red Sox are dealing with a blunder in their trade for Durbin. The Yankees are feeling the loss of Weaver, and the Rays are missing Lowe. The Blue Jays, however, are looking strong with additions like Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer. American League Central: The Chicago White Sox are doing well, thanks to Murakami and Peters. The Cleveland Guardians are struggling, but they have some stalwarts in their bullpen. The Detroit Tigers are dealing with a headache in Valdez, and the Kansas City Royals are disappointed with their winter moves. Minnesota Twins: The Twins are below replacement level, but they're not as inactive as the Royals. American League West: The Athletics, Astros, Angels, Mariners, and Rangers are in the American League West. The A's are struggling, and the Astros are dealing with a poor Allen-for-Dubón trade. The Angels are in last place, and the Mariners are feeling the loss of Polanco. The Rangers' bullpen is strong, and the Mariners' additions have mostly helped. National League East: The Atlanta Braves are doing well, thanks to Suarez and Iglesias. The Miami Marlins are struggling, and the New York Mets are dealing with a disappointing offseason. The Philadelphia Phillies are feeling the loss of Suárez, and the Washington Nationals are taking it easy. National League Central: The Chicago Cubs are struggling, and the Cincinnati Reds are dealing with a mixed bag of additions and losses. The Milwaukee Brewers are having a rough go of it, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are feeling the loss of McCutchen. National League West: The Arizona Diamondbacks are doing well, thanks to Arenado and Soroka. The Colorado Rockies are making progress, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling with Tucker and Díaz. The San Diego Padres are dealing with a list of losses, and the San Francisco Giants are feeling the impact of their winter moves. In conclusion, the 2026 MLB season has been full of surprises and disappointments. Teams are reevaluating their strategies, and it's clear that some moves have paid off while others have not. As we continue to watch the season unfold, it will be interesting to see how these teams adjust and respond to the challenges they face. Personally, I think this season has been a reminder that in baseball, as in life, nothing is certain. Teams can rise to the occasion and make surprising moves, but they can also stumble and face unexpected setbacks. It's all part of the beauty and unpredictability of the game.
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